Volunteer

Summer Reads

Summer is traditionally a time to catch up on our reading. While summer is more than half over, I thought I would mention a few books I have read recently which you might enjoy. I love to read, and apart from the stories, I learn a lot I can apply to my day-to-day activities. Here goes … not in any order:

 

1. Desert Queen by Janet Wallach.  A biography of Gertrude Bell, a fascinating British Woman who lived in the early 1900s. She knew more about the Middle East than almost anyone else in the world. Her knowledge and personality did much to shape the Post-WW1 Middle East and is crucial to understanding what is going on there now.

 

 

2. American Refugees Turning to Canada for Freedom by Rita Shelton Deverell. A feel-good book about Americans, many of them black, who sought and found a better life in Canada. Not surprisingly, they have made huge contributions to our country. Very pertinent today.

 

 

3. Ragged Company by Indigenous writer Richard Wagamese, the author of “Indian Horse,” one of the most sensitive and beautifully written books I have ever read. The story is about four homeless people, two of whom are indigenous, who faithfully support each other through very difficult times. Their past comes out after their financial fortunes change.

 

 

4. The Spy and the Traitor by Ben MacIntyre. This book is currently on many best-seller lists. It is the story of a Russian double agent who defects during the Cold War. Even though you know the outcome, the writer holds you in suspense for the whole book. Very revealing and scary about what went on in this world during these frightening times.

 

 

5. Beautiful Scars – Musician Tom Wilson’s auto- biography. Finding out his real background (Indigenous) and who he was in his 50s changed his life for the better. This is a common theme amongst many Indigenous Peoples – Before they reconcile with others, they need to reconcile with themselves as to who they are. Tom is an artist and leader of the group, Lea Harvey Osmond. He will be performing at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Sept. 28th at 8 pm.

 

Send me some of your recent good reads!

 You can also check out my new book:

Creating Opportunities – A Volunteer's Memoir

Till next time,

Chris Snyder

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